Driving licence

EU driving licences

Any driving licence issued by an EU-State (+ Switzerland, Norway, Iceland) is valid in Italy. Nevertheless, driving licences without expiry date must be exchanged within 2 years after obtaining the Italian residence. In any case, you had better swap your foreign driving licence with an Italian one, as all licences abide by the Italian law, irrespective of the fact that they have been exchanged or not.

NON-EU driving licences

The driving licence issued by a non-EU State is valid in Italy up to 1 year after obtaining the Italian residence, provided that you have the International Driving Permit (IDP) or an Italian sworn translation of the licence itself. You get the International Driving Permit from the State which issued your licence in the first place.

Exchanging the driving licence You can apply for a new Italian licence, which replaces your foreign one. This is taken away and sent back to the Consulate of your Country of origin.

Exchange is possible only if your driving licence has been issued by one of the following countries: - All Member States of the European Union - Albania, Algeria, Argentina, South Korea, Ecuador, Philippines, Japan, Iceland, Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldova, Norway, Monaco Principality, Serbia, San Marino, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay

AND: for Canada, Chile, U.S.A. and Zambia, exchange is allowed only for diplomatic personnel and their families.

You ask for a licence swap at the Motor Vehicle Office (Motorizzazione Civile). The Motorizzazione Civile in Milan is located in Via Cilea (Subway Molino Dorino – MM1); opening hours: from Monday to Friday, 08:45-12:00.

EXTRA INFO: (*) The original driving licence can be translated by: - a sworn translator at the Italian Court of Justice - the Consulate of your Country of origin in Italy (but the signature of the Consulate officials has to be authenticated in the Italian Prefettura) - the Italian Embassy in your Country of origin

For driving licences isseud by EU-States and Switzerland no translation is required, except for Greece (the holder him/herself provides the translation).

- Driving licences from Argentina and Romania: you also need a Certificate of Authenticity issued by the Consulate of your Country of origin in Italy. In addition, the signature of the Consulate officials has to be authenticated at the Prefettura.